Shay Given.
The one that got away. Quite literally.
The former Republic of Ireland international lifted the lid on why his move to Celtic turned sour and how he ended up leaving Celtic on a free to Kenny Dalglish’s Blackburn Rovers back in 1994.
Given spoke of the contract talks (talks is a stretch listening to his story) and revealed the amount of money it would have taken to get him to stay at Celtic Park.
Speaking to Open Goal, Given recalls his story and it will frustrate the life out of Celtic fans how they club lost out on a world class keeper for less than £50 per week, “I was on a two year contract and then Lou Macari offered, there was four or five, maybe six of us he wanted to keep on.
“And he offered us all the same contract. And my dad said you’re not signing that because it was horrendous.
“So it was like going from an apprentice to a pro and was something like twenty to thirty quid a week more to sign pro.
“You could get more playing in the League of Ireland.
“I had sort of faith in my own ability and if I couldn’t be at Celtic it’ll be somewhere else.
“I’d rather be at Celtic but they said well, take it or leave it. And my dad goes well we’re leaving then. It was as black and white as you can get but but he was right at the time.
“So they gave you a 100 quid more you would have signed it then?
“Well probably at that age. It was like 100 quid a week as an apprentice and they offered me 130 quid or something or 150 quid.”